Which is your favorite book in the series?
Shylah: My favorite book in the series is The Hunger Games (though don’t get me wrong, I love them all). Not because it’s the best in the series, but because it’s the book that first transported me into the world of Panem. It was my first experience with Katniss Everdeen, and, as much as I love Catching Fire and Mockingjay, neither of them have the privilege of being my introduction to the series.

What do your friends and family think of your Hunger Games obsession?
Shylah: My husband is completely on board. He’s read the books and loves them almost as much as I do. He’s actually primarily responisble for most of our merchandise and the fact that our apartment now looks like a Hunger Games museum. My parents don’t really know the level of my obsession (and this is probably a good thing) — but they think it’s super cool that I’ve gotten to go to LA and done a couple interviews around the web.

Which district would you most like to live in?
Shylah: I have a longstanding love affair with District 8. As someone who works with fabric on a daily basis, I feel like Eight’s industry would be the most personally fulfilling. I also love the fact that District 8 was the hotbed of rebellion in Panem after the 74th Hunger Games. Textiles and political subversion — this sounds like the perfect home for me.

Which Hunger Games character do you think you are most like?
Shylah: I have to go with Katniss Everdeen. Not because I’m brave or anything like that, but because I’m sullen and hostile. A lot of people find Katniss prickly, but to me she’s a kindred spirit — someone who does and says what she thinks is right, people’s opinions be damned.

Which two tributes (victors included) would you most want to ally with in the arena?
Shylah: I’d want to ally with the careers — Glimmer and Marvel seem like they’d be a hoot to hang with (not to mention deadly). And I wouldn’t feel as guilty about betraying them and killing them in their sleep because they’re planning on doing the same thing to me.

If you could ask Suzanne Collins ONE question about the series, what would it be?
Shylah: Character names. All of them. I don’t care if she just picks them out of the phonebook, but I want names for all of the tributes. And names for the kids.

Also, a Buttercup spin-off series.

What are some of your interests outside of The Hunger Games?
Shylah: I like to crochet (that’s actually how I got involved with the Hunger Games fandom in the first place). I like to read. I watch a lot of TV. Sometimes I write (but not very well).